Page 24 of His Forsaken Duchess
“I can feel it perfectly well,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “But I find it preferable to remaining in that castle with you.”
His jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, his boots sinking into the snow. “I may not be able to send you back to London yet, but I cannot have you falling ill. Go back inside.”
Audrey tilted her head, her lips curling into a defiant smile. “Why would you care? You won’t be the one to look after me if I do.”
“No,” he agreed sharply. “But the servants will, and I won’t have you adding to their burdens because of your stubbornness.”
Audrey blinked, startled by the concern in his words. For a moment, admiration rose in her chest. He did care, even if he refused to admit it outright.
“How noble of you,” she said, her tone light. “Perhaps you even care about me, just a little.”
The Duke groaned, raking a hand through his hair. “Do not try me, princess.”
Audrey raised an eyebrow, her teasing smile growing. “For a man of noble blood and ties to the Royal Family, you certainly lack refinement.”
He ignored her jab, stepping closer and looming over her. “Go back into the castle,” he said again, his voice lower, firmer.
“I see you have no talent for persuasion,” she remarked, turning on her heel to continue walking.
Before she could take another step, she was suddenly swept off her feet. A startled cry escaped her lips as she found herself hanging over the Duke’s broad shoulder, her cloak billowing in the wind.
“Cedric!” she exclaimed, her hands clutching at the back of his coat. “Put me down at once!”
“Be quiet,” he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument as he marched back toward the castle.
Audrey was too stunned to protest further, her face flushing as she became acutely aware of his muscular shoulder and hisstrong arms as he held her effortlessly. He was taller than she’d realized, and the power in his stride sent a shiver through her.
Her cheeks burned as she stammered, “I-I demand you put me down!”
“And I demand silence,” he bit out, his tone sharp as the wind.
He carried her into the castle, the warmth hitting her like a wave as the heavy door closed behind them. He strode into the drawing room, his boots clicking against the marble floor, and unceremoniously deposited her on the nearest sofa.
Audrey pushed herself upright, her heart pounding. “You are insufferable,” she declared, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from her dress.
The Duke loomed over her, his expression hard. “If you try to leave the castle again, there will be consequences.”
Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her chin. “And what might those be?”
He turned sharply on his heel, his coat billowing slightly as he strode toward the door. “Defy me,” he said without looking back, his voice like steel, “and you will find out.”
Seven
What happened to you?
Audrey stared up at the portrait of Lady Cecilia in the dimly lit gallery. The clock in the foyer chimed, each strike echoing through the quiet halls until it reached twelve. Midnight.
The soft glow of the moonlight illuminated Cecilia’s delicate features—the same high cheekbones as her brother’s, the same dark hair, but her hazel eyes were vibrant, full of life, a stark contrast to the Duke’s unreadable brown ones.
Audrey tilted her head, studying the young woman’s serene expression.
Cecilia’s beauty seemed untouched by the sorrow Audrey had sensed in the castle. What was her story?
Audrey’s gaze shifted to a larger portrait beside Cecilia’s, depicting the late Duke and Duchess of Haremore with their two children. Even there, the younger version of her husband had a closed, solemn expression, while Cecilia’s smile seemed eager to win the approval of whoever painted her.
“Haremore Castle has its mysteries,” Audrey murmured, taking a step back to survey the gallery. “And while I am stuck here, I may as well uncover them.”
Her slippers barely made a sound as she left the gallery and entered the foyer. She paused at the foot of the grand staircase, her eyes instinctively flicking up. Her gaze turned left, toward the west wing—the forbidden part of the castle. She hesitated, her curiosity prickling like a whisper urging her forward.
